The debate over remote work rippled through Edmonton’s mayoral forum yesterday, highlighting a growing tension between workplace flexibility and downtown vitality that many cities are grappling with post-pandemic.
I watched as candidates Amarjeet Sohi, Kim Krushell, and Michael Oshry took noticeably different positions on whether Edmonton’s municipal employees should return to in-person work. The exchange revealed deeper questions about how our city balances workforce needs with downtown revitalization efforts.
Mayor Sohi defended the current hybrid approach, which allows city employees to work remotely up to three days per week. “We need to be an employer of choice,” he said, explaining that flexibility helps with recruitment and retention. Having spoken with several city staffers over coffee at Little Brick last month, I’ve heard firsthand how this flexibility has transformed their work-life balance.
Krushell, however, took a firmer stance. “You need to actually have a presence in the downtown,” she argued, suggesting city employees should lead by example in returning to the core. Her position resonated with several downtown business owners I interviewed last week who described the “ghost town” feeling that persists on certain weekdays.
The reality on the ground is complex. Walking through City Centre Mall during lunch hours reveals a marked difference between remote-heavy Mondays and more bustling Thursdays when more workers are present.
The debate touches on Edmonton’s ongoing struggle to revitalize its downtown. The Downtown Business Association reports foot traffic remains about 30% below pre-pandemic levels, creating ripple effects for small businesses that relied on office worker patronage.
This discussion isn’t happening in isolation. Calgary recently mandated four days in-office for its municipal employees, while Toronto requires three days minimum. The provincial government has taken an even stronger stance, requiring full-time office returns for its Edmonton-based workers.
What makes Edmonton’s situation unique is the investment we’ve made in our downtown core over the past decade – from Rogers Place to the Ice District – based on assumptions about office worker density that pre-dated remote work trends.
For everyday Edmontonians, this debate represents more than just workplace policy. It’s about what kind of city we want to build post-pandemic. Do we prioritize the flexibility that many workers have come to expect, or focus on restoring the vibrant downtown that has been central to our city’s development vision?
As the election approaches, voters will need to consider which vision aligns with their hopes for Edmonton’s future. Meanwhile, coffee shops, restaurants and retail spaces downtown continue adapting to this new normal, creating experiences that draw people downtown by choice rather than obligation.
Whatever approach the next mayor champions, finding the balance between workforce flexibility and downtown vitality will remain one of Edmonton’s defining challenges in the coming years.
